Name: AFNAN RASHID AL ZAYANI

Profession: Businesswoman

Qualification:    1973 – 1975, The American University of Beirut, majoring in Food
                          Technology and Nutrition School of Agriculture.
1976 – 1977, Bachelor of Science in Food Technology; School of Agriculture,
Texas Technical University, USA.
Experience:        33 years

Present Positions:

President and Proprietor of Al Zayani Commercial Services S.P.C.

Since 1999, company established in 1980. [Website: www.alzayanicomm.com]

Office Automation Division
Trading & Tendering Division
Tree of Life [producing artificial trees, plants, palm trees].

Partner and Director of Martinizing Laundry & Dry Cleaners.
President of Bahrain Businesswomen Society 2002 – 2004
Board Member and Head of Coordination & Follow-up Committee at Bahrain Businesswomen Society 2004 - 2008.
Founding Board Member and Secretary to the Board of Directors at Bahrain Businessmen’s Association.
Director of Al Ayam Press, Printing & Publishing
Board Member and Head of Bahrain Businesswomen Committee at Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry 26 – 27 (2009 – 2013)
Member of Gulf Businesswomen Committee in Federation of G.C.C Chambers.
Representing Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Committee for “H.H. Shaikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Award” for Women Empowerment.
Founding member of Bahrain Competitiveness Council
Member of FTA committee at Bahrain Economic Board
Member of Arab Women Labour Committee 2006 – 2008 reelected 2008-2010
Board Member of Private Sector Development Association
Member and Head of the Economic Empowerment of Bahraini Women at The Supreme Council for Women in Bahrain.
President of MENA Businesswomen Network.

Others:

Author of Cookery Books, namely:

Al Soofrah Al Khaleejiah (1983) – 8th edition was released in 2007
A Taste of the Arabian Gulf (1988) – 2nd edition was released in 2002- 3rd edition released in 2009.
Ma Lath Wa Tab (1994) – 2nd edition was released in 2003
Lathiyath Afnan – released in 2004
Afnaniyat – released in 2009

Presenter of T.V. Cookery Programmes since 1986, namely:

Al Soofrah Al Khaleejiah – Bahrain T.V. (1986)
Eat Smart – Bahrain T.V. (1996)
Taibat - Bahrain T.V. (1997)
Gulf Delights – Bahrain T.V. (1998)
Lathiyath - I, II, III, IV & V – Bahrain T.V. (1999 – 2003)
Awafi 2005 – Qatar T.V. (2005)
Seha Wa Afia – Qatar T.V. (2006)
Ramadan Atyab – MBC (2007)
Afnanniyat - Qatar T.V. (2008)

Judge at Major Food Events:

Indian Ladies Association
MEFEX (Middle East Food Exhibition)
National Heritage Festival
“One Million Dates Cake”

National Awards & Achievements:

1977 - Ministry of Education, Honours Award.
1992 – National Achievement Award.
2004 – Best Business Professional in the Middle East Award
2005 – Selected as one of the 50 top women in the Middle East by Forbes Magazine.

2007 – Ranked 88th in the list of the world’s most powerful Arabs (Power 100) by Arabian Business.
2007 - Appreciation Award for “Innovative Approach to Business” for Cookery Programme Sector, presented by H.H. Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of H.M The King & Chairperson of The Supreme Council for Women, organized by The Council of Arab Businesswomen.
2009 – BIZZ Award 2009 from World Confederation of Business (WCB) in Canada.
2009 – World of Difference 100 Award from the International Alliance for women.
Received Gourmand world cookbook awards 2009 for her latest publication Afnaniyat as the best Arabic Cookbook.
Selected as a Businesswomen’s by Business News Magazine published in March 2010

Afnan's Video